Library Events

The Saturday Book Group meets in the Library’s conference room. This group reads the same book as the First Thursday book group. Adult Services Librarian Elizabeth Reinhart moderates the discussion. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Elizabeth at ereinhart@essexlib.org f...read more

Program for kids age 5-12.Get ready to get messy and creative as we celebrate National Slime Day! Kids will learn how to make their own colorful, squishy slime using simple ingredients, then personalize it with glitter, scents, and more. Come join the fun and explore the science behind everyone&rsqu...read more

Be the fastest team to complete a jigsaw puzzle and win a prize! Essex Library’s fourth annual jigsaw puzzle tournament begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Teams may consist of 2 to 4 people who will attempt to finish the same 500-piece puzzle in the least amount...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

The Historical Fiction book group typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Library's conference room. Participants may Zoom in. Adult Services Librarian Elizabeth Reinhart moderates the discussion. Please email Elizabeth at ereinhart@essexlib.org for a Zoom l...read more

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month.Meet up with other genealogy aficionados, talk about resources, share your own genealogy journey, ask questions, and more! Great group for beginners looking to get into the community and long-time enthusiasts looking to meet new friends and sh...read more

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month.If you need time and a place to focus on your writing, the library has set aside a block of time just for you with a new interest group for writers. Come meet fellow writers to socialize for half an hour, followed by an hour of writing time. No p...read more

Program for kids birth – age 5.Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop...read more

Ciao! Buongiorno! Buonasera! Come to the Library on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. to converse with other beginner to intermediate Italian speakers in a supportive environment, led by a former Italian professor. No registration necessary! Drop-in!

Program for families with kids of all ages.Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador!...read more

Program for families with kids of all ages.Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador!...read more

Program for families with kids of all ages.Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador!...read more

Program for families with kids of all ages.Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador!...read more

Join us and play the "world’s greatest role-playing game." (Or other TTRPG's as requested!)Come create your own character and join the adventure where we will fight monsters and explore new lands. Both new and experienced players are welcome. These sessions are for teen players.R...read more

Program for kids ages 2-5.Run, run, as fast as you can to our gingerbread-themed story time, filled with festive fun and a dash of winter magic!Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to ...read more

Program for kids ages 5-12.Come to the library and hear a gingerbread story, then get right into building a miniature gingerbread house! Whether you’re a cookie building expert, or your house falls apart as soon as you get the third wall glued on with icing, we can all agree the best part of b...read more

Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.No registration required.

Music, snacks and fancy gift wrap! The winter season is upon us, and with it comes many gift giving opportunities. If you’re in need of a present for a friend, parent or teammate, find all that you’re looking for at our library workshop. Projects include: painted canvases, winter gnome k...read more

We have open seats on our Teen Advisory Board! We’re recruiting teens of all ages to help us make the library a better place for young adults. Help us choose books, plan programs, design the teen department and mentor young readers, all the while earning volunteer service hours. Snacks provide...read more

Join us at Essex Library for a performance of the Entwyned Early Music group. The group features three professionally trained musicians who specialize in music from the 15th to the 21st centuries played on reproduction historical instruments. The trio will play favorite carols from around the w...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Drop-in group. Every Tuesday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Program for kids birth – age 5.Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop...read more

Ciao! Buongiorno! Buonasera! Come to the Library on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. to converse with other beginner to intermediate Italian speakers in a supportive environment, led by a former Italian professor. No registration necessary! Drop-in!

Program for kids ages 8-12.Love graphic novels? Join Comic Crew!This month, celebrate the popular graphic novel series, Wings of Fire, with games, contests, crafts, or activities based on the series. Fans of the series and new graphic novel readers are welcome to attend.Essex Library programs are f...read more

Join us and play the "world’s greatest role-playing game." (Or other TTRPG's as requested!)Come create your own character and join the adventure where we will fight monsters and explore new lands. Both new and experienced players are welcome. These sessions are for teen players.R...read more

Program for kids ages 2-5.Join us for a cozy winter-themed story time filled with snowy stories, songs, and fun activities!Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-schoo...read more

Program for kids ages 8-12.Bundle up and get ready for some frosty fun at our Ice Bowling event! Kids will take turns rolling frozen ‘bowling balls’ down our cardboard lane to see how many ‘pins’ they can knock over. It’s a silly, chilly twist on a classic game, perfect...read more

Program for families with kids ages 3+.Get ready for a hilarious, high-energy magic show where the kids are the real stars! Every trick comes with a fun story and plenty of audience participation.Ed Popielarczyk is a professional magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster, and storyteller. H...read more

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Program designed for kids ages 5-12.Get creative and make your own Shrinky Dinks! Design, color, and cut out your creations, then watch the magic happen as they shrink into sturdy little charms, keychains, or collectibles you can take home. Available until supplies run out.Essex Library programs are...read more

Program designed for kids ages 5-12.Join us to celebrate the hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters with a craft party! Themed craft stations will be set up around the room while the movie’s upbeat soundtrack plays in the background! Crafts available while supplies last.Essex Library programs are free ...read more

Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.No registration required.

Program designed for kids ages 5-12.Step into enchantment and become a junior wizard! Young spellcasters will explore the magic of chemistry while they mix up colorful potions, watch bubbling brews come to life, and discover a bit of scientific magic. Be prepared for surprises, giggles, and magical ...read more

It’s winter break! Join us for retro gaming glory and level up on the big screen. Snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged as space is limited. Ages 12 - 18.

Drop-in group. Every monday.Meet up with other beginner to intermediate French speakers to practice conversation in a friendly environment.

Drop-in group. Every Monday.Knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, and more are welcome! Come and do needlework with other craft enthusiasts. Bring your works in progress, your finished pieces, your patterns, and craft along with others while swapping tips, tricks, and conversation.

In this class, we’ll use overhead light and everyday objects to create interesting shadows on paper. The real fun begins when we outline our shadows. While we’ll have many objects to choose from here at the library, you’re free to bring a special item that you have at home. You&rsq...read more

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages 0-3)This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us!No registration required.Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.

Program designed for kids ages 5-12.Join Ms. Rae for a magical adventure into the world of the fae! Young witches and wizards will learn about different kinds of fairies, where they might be found, and what sorts of gifts they enjoy. Then we’ll make small offerings we can leave outside for the...read more

Program designed for families.Ring in the New Year early with a little magic and a lot of fun! Join us for a festive celebration featuring a special New Year’s craft, themed games, and a “photo booth” to capture the memories. We’ll wrap up the party with some lively games and...read more